Apparatus for compressing and packing rubbish



United States Patent APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING AND PACKING RUBBISH 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 100/218, 53/124,141/73,141/316,100/224,100/229,

Int. Cl -B30b 15/32 Field of Search 53/ 1 24B; 141/73, 80, 194, 195, 313, 314, 316; 100/214,

Primary Examiner-Bil1y .1. Wi1hite AttorneyMcGlew and Toren ABSTRACT: Apparatus for compressing and packing rubbish is formed of an open-ended container with a stationary head in one end and a removable cover member in the other end. For charging rubbish into the container, the head is displaceable into a retracted position, and after it is replaced in the container, the container is moved relative to the head for compressing the rubbish. A bag is attached to the other end of the container with its end located inwardly of the cover member. When the cover member is removed, the compressed rubbish is removable in the bag.

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9 22 l 23 I III! RETRACTING AND EXTENDING MEANS Patented Sept. 15, 1970 Sheet RETRACTING AND EXTENDING MEANS Fig. 1

Illll Inventors KLnus NEUENBURG HEINZ BO Patented Sept. 15, 1970 3,528,366

Sheet 2 of 2 E RETRACTING AND LJT /EXTENDIN6 MEANS 6' I 556/ v Fig.2

Inventors KLFHLS NEUENBURG H INZ BURN mm m APPARATUS FOR COMPRESSING AND PACKING RUBBISH SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to an apparatus for compressing and packing rubbish and, more particularly, it concerns a container which is movable relative to a stationary compressing head for compressing the rubbish. Further, the invention concerns a removable cover member which can be displaced after compressing operation is completed for removing the compressed rubbish in a bag.

At the present time, in rubbish compressing apparatus a bag or packing sack is arranged within the compressing container to receive the rubbish. After the rubbish is loaded into the bag, it is compressed by a movable head such as in a tamping operation. This tamping operation afiords a more or less compressed mass within the bag. When the pressing operation is completed, the filled sack is removed from the stationary container. One or more walls of the container are openable or removable for removal of the bag containing the compressed rubbish.

In one such apparatus, a circular bottom plate and a number of rubbish sacks are supported by partitions and by an inner jacket of the apparatus. For removal of the filled sacks, a wall is displaceable from the rear of the apparatus.

In the arrangements used to date, there has been the disadvantage that the sack or bag receiving the rubbish is under a considerable stress during the compressing operation. These stresses occur, in part, due to the tamping forces developed in the compression operation and, in part, due to friction and shearing forces caused by the sharp-edged portions of rubbish which result in rips or slits in the sack. Actually, in the previously known apparatus, there was no real compression of the rubbish, rather the rubbish was tamped, which at best only reduced its volume by a half.

In another known apparatus, tobacco is compressed by moving a compression chamber relative to a stationary compressing head. In addition, the compression container also acts as the packing container. During the compressing operation, a predetermined amount of tobacco is fed into the container from a storage container. In this way, the quantity of tobacco employed can be exactly determined both before and after the compressing operation. Accordingly, the influences which normally occur in compressing rubbish do not occur in packing or compressing tobacco using such an apparatus.

Still another apparatus is known which is used in compressing and packing peat. This apparatus consists of a stationary container, a movable compressing head, a separate bottom closure member and a packing sack. The bottom closure acts as a counter-piston and moves independently of the compression force. During operation, the bottom of the packing sack is supported on this piston closure. Preferably, in this apparatus, peat is charged into and, at the same time, is packed within the container. A predetermined quantity is taken from a silo or feed hopper and is delivered into the container in a pre-compressed form and then it is compressed further by means of the movable head. In the compressing operation, when a certain determinable compressing pressure has been reached, the counter-piston with the column of compressed peat supported on it, gives way in a downward direction removing the sack from the container. Accordingly, the partially filled sack continues to be filled during its transfer into an auxiliary cylinder or container. After completion of the downward stroke, the auxiliary cylinder is opened by means of removable or pivotable jacket portions and the filled sack is removed. The effective operation of this apparatus depends on its counter-piston which is controlled independently from the compressing operation by a special guiding cylinder located below the compressing cylinder or container. In this arrangement, it is not possible to compress the peat as completely or as densely as is possible in other types of apparatus.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to use a closed compressing container with an associated bag or sack, however, the arrangement of the bag is such that it is not subject to stresses caused by friction or shearing during the compressing operation and as a result will not be damaged.

Another object of the invention is to utilize a removable closure member for the compressing container, the closure member is displaceable at the completion of the compressing operation for removing the compressed rubbish within the bag.

Still another object of the invention is to employ the closure member as a cart for removing the compressed rubbish from the compressing apparatus.

A further object of the invention is the attachment of the bag on the exterior of the container so that only its bottom is contacted by the rubbish during the compressing operation.

Moreover, another object of the invention is to provide a retractable stationary head whereby the rubbish can be charged into the container prior to the commencement of the compressing operation when the head is in its retracted position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cabinet containing the entire compressing apparatus wherein the stationary compressing head is supported from the ceiling or top of the cabinet.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide efficient and easily operable means for moving the container relative to the stationary head for carrying out the compressing operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to afford an apparatus for efficiently effecting the maximum compression of rubbish within a container and then for removing the compressed rub-- bish within a bag in a simple operation.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, a container is provided with a stationary head in one end and a removable cover member attached to its other end. The container is of a general cylindrical form and is provided with means for movement in the vertical direction. At the exterior lower end of the container, a bag or packing sack is fitted onto it so that the lower end of the sack is positioned between the cover member and the rubbish being charged into the container. For performing the rubbish charging operation, the stationary head is retractable from its position in the end of the container. With the head in compressing position, the container is moved relative to the head to compress the materials against the cover member at its other end. After the completion of the compressing operation, the bottom closure is detached and displaced from the bottom end of the container, and as the container is moved in an upward direction, the

compacted rubbish is automatically transferred into the bag v level, the rubbish is transferred into the sack attached to the container and removed.

To move the stationary head into its retracted telescope-like position, it may be provided with spring means or a counterweight which operate, when the stationary head device is unlocked, to effect the desired movement.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bottom plate is articulated or pivotally attached to the container and is provided with a latching means for locking it in place. When the compressing operation is completed, the cover member is unlatched and pivoted away from the end of the container leaving it open for the removal of the compacted rubbish.

In another embodiment, the bottom cover plate is removable from the container and may be provided with wheels for use as a cart in disposing the compacted rubbish.

For moving or driving the container relative to the stationary head, different types of power drives can be employed. Rails are provided parallel to the vertical axis of the compressing container for guiding its movement and drive means are used for directing the container in the upward direction against the stationary head for achieving the compressing action.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, all of the parts of the rubbish compressing apparatus are contained within a cabinet. A rod extends upwardly from the stationary head and is attached to the ceiling or top support of the cabinet. By means of the cabinet, the entire apparatus can be disposed within a relatively small space and, when the apparatus is not in use, the cabinet can be also kept closed so that the contents are not apparent.

In modern rubbish compressing and packing equipment it is very important to combine the most advantageous manner of compressing the rubbish with a closed cabinet. The use of the closed cabinet is essential in reducing or eliminating any odor nuisances, and in affording a compact rubbish collection area which can be maintained in a clean and orderly manner. Such equipment is important in the kitchens of large establishments, in stores and other business enterprises and also in households where a space saving as well as an attractive and compact apparatus is advantageous. Further, the arrangement provides for the effective removal of the rubbish in a simple and efficient manner.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a rubbish compressing apparatus embodying the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is the side view of another embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, two different embodiments of rubbish compressing apparatus are disclosed, both in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus is arranged within a cabinet 1 provided with doors or other means, not shown, for closing the cabinet. In each of FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus comprises a stationary compressing head 2 attached to the top or ceiling of the cabinet by a rod 3. A container 4 is aligned below the head 2 and is arranged to be moved in a vertical direction relative to the head. Preferably, the container 4 has a cylindrical shape and is open at both of its ends. During the compressing operation the head 2 affords a sliding closure for the upper end of the container.

In FIG. 1, the container 4 is moved by a shaft or spindle drive; and in FIG. 2 the container is moved by a cable drive. In each embodiment, the container 4 has a laterally extending projection 44:. During movement, the container is guided by a pair of spaced rollers 5 located at the upper and lower ends of the projection 4a. The rollers travel in the vertical direction along a pair of guide rails 6, though the view in the drawing only shows one rail. The guide rails 6 are arranged in parallel relationship with the vertical axis of the container.

In FIG. 1, the projection 4a supports a spindle nut 7 intermediate its ends. The nut 7 is mounted on a threaded spindle or shaft 10 which is secured at its upper and lower ends within bearing members 8, 9, respectively. The spindle is rotated by a drive engine 11 and, though it is not movable in an axial direction, by the direction of its rotation it drives the spindle nut 7 vertically.

In FIG. 2, an alternate arrangement of the container drive means is provided by a cable attached at one end to the bracket 12 located at the lower end of the projections 4a. The cable extends upwardly over a roller 16 and is secured at its other end to a fixed anchor 17. The roller I6 is secured to a piston rod 14 of a hydraulic cylinder 15 which is operated by means of a pump unit 18. As the piston rod 14 is extended from the cylinder 15, it lifts the roller 16 and, in turn, the cable secured to the anchor 17 rides over the roller and lifts the container 4 along the guide rails 6. It will be apparent from the arrangement of the lifting means shown in FIG. 2 that the movement of container is double that of the piston arm.

In both embodiments, the rod 3 supporting the stationary head 2 is constructed in a telescope-like fashion. In the drawing the stationary head is illustrated in the extended or compressing position. The rod 3 is provided with a device 19 at the lower end of its upper part 3a into which its lower part 3b telescopes. The device 19 is arranged to lock the rod in its extended or compressing position. When the device 19 is released, it causes the lower part 3b of the rod 3 to be withdrawn from the upper end of the container 4, so that rubbish can be charged or filled into the container. Preferably, the retracting action is accomplished in an automatic manner. The means for retracting the stationary head may be a spring or counter-acting weight acting by way of a cable line, these elements are not shown in the drawing.

Disposed at the exterior lower end of the container is a bag or sack 20 or similar collapsible tubular member closed at one end. The sack 20 is secured to the container by a retaining ring 21 or a similar device. The lower closed end of the sack extends across the lower end of the container. During the compressing operation, a cover member 22 is secured to the lower end 1 of the container and supports the bottom of the sack 20. The cover member 22 is arranged to be displaced from the bottom of the container for removal of the compressed rubbish within the sack after the completion of the compressing operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom cover 22 is pivotally attached to the lower end of the projections 4a by means of a pin 23 or similar device. At the opposite side of the container from the pin 23, a latch or arresting catch 24 is secured to the container for detachably locking the cover member in position during the compressing operation. When the catch 24 is released, the cover member is arranged to pivot about the pin 23 leaving the lower end of the container 4 open for removal of the compressed rubbish within the sack 20. Disposed below the container is a cart 25 arranged to receive the filled rubbish sack for removing it to a disposal point.

In FIG. 2, the cover member 22a is completely removable from the container 4 and is secured to the container by means of bolts 27 and nuts 28. As distinguished from the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, the cover member 220 has a wheel carriage 26 secured to its lower surface. When the cover member 220 is removed from the container, it acts as a transport carriage or cart for the compressed rubbish within the sack 20.

OPERATION OF THE INVENTION At the outset of the rubbish compressing operation, the container 4 is positioned at the lower end of the guide rail 6, and the stationary head is retracted by means of the device 19 into its telescoped position for filling or charging the rubbish into the container. After a quantity of rubbish is placed in the container, the stationary head is repositioned and locked in place in its upper end. Next, the drive means are activated and the container is moved upwardly, pressing the rubbish contained within it against the stationary head 2. When the rubbish within the container is adequately compressed, the container is moved downwardly and the head is again retracted for filling more rubbish into the container. These steps are repeated until the compressed rubbish reaches a predetermined level. With the compressing of the rubbish completed, the cover member 22 or 220 is released and compressed rubbish is deposited into the sack by an upward movement of the container. The sack is released from the retaining ring 21 and is bound shut. Finally, the sack 20 is removed from the cabinet 1 to a point of disposal by means of the cart or on the wheeled cover member 22a.

lt will be appreciated that with the apparatus disposed within the closed cabinet, when the apparatus is not in use, the cabinet can be kept closed affording a clean, orderly, and substantially odor-free arrangement.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for compressing and packing rubbish comprising an axially extending open ended upright container, a compressing head arranged to be positioned in one end of said container, means for holding said compressing head in a stationary position relative to said container and for retracting said head from the one end of said container for permitting rubbish to be charged into the container, a cover member displaceably secured to the other end of said container and to form a closure therefor, means for removably securing a sack having an opened end and a closed end to the exterior of said container so that the closed end of the sack is disposed across the other end of said container inwardly of and supported by said cover member and the sides of the sack extending from its closed end are disposed outwardly of and about said container, and means for moving said container in its axial direction whereby it moves relative to said stationary compressing head so that rubbish charged into said container is compressed between said head and cover member and when said cover member is displaced from the other end of said container the compressed rubbish is displaceable from the other end of said container in the axial direction into the sack secured to the exterior of said container.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cover member is pivotally attached to said container, and releasable latch means are arranged for detachably securing the cover member to the other end of said container.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein means are secured to said cover member for converting said cover member into a transport member when it is released from the other end of said container.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein removable attachment members are arranged for detachably securing said cover member to said container whereby in removing said attachment members said cover member is detached from said container.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein upright guide rails are provided for directing the movement of said container relative to said compressing head, and means mounted on said container for effecting movement of said container on said guide rails.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, comprising a hydraulic lift, a piston arm mounted in said hydraulic lift for movement in the direction of the axis of movement of said container, a cable secured at one end to said container and arranged to extend across the piston arm of said hydraulic lift and to be secured to an anchor on the opposite side of said piston arm from said container, whereby as said piston arm is extended and retracted within said hydraulic lift, the cable directs the container in an upward and downward direction along said guide rails.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a rotatable shaft is arranged in parallel relationship with the axis of movement of said container, coupling means for attachment of said container to said rotatable shaft, and means for rotating said shaft whereby said container through said coupling attachment is transported in the direction of the rotatable shaft for effecting a compressing action with said compressing head.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a cabinet IS provided for completely enclosing the apparatus for compressing and packing rubbish.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein a rod is secured to said compressing head and extends therefrom to the top of said cabinet and is secured thereto, said container aligned below said head and arranged within said cabinet for vertical movement. 

